mosaic package updates

We are approaching a 1.0 release, but aren't quite there yet. If you are using a version older than 0.9.2-2, we encourage you to update from CRAN or github. We expect to release 1.0 sometime in the first half of 2015.

Project MOSAIC

Project MOSAIC is a community of educators working to develop a new way to introduce mathematics, statistics, computation and modeling to students in colleges and universities.

Our goal: Provide a broader approach to quantitative studies that provides better support for work in science and technology. The focus of the project is to tie together better diverse aspects of quantitative work that students in science, technology, and engineering will need in their professional lives, but which are today usually taught in isolation, if at all.

Modeling. The ability to create, manipulate and investigate useful and informative mathematical representations of a real-world situations.

Statistics. The analysis of variability that draws on our ability to quantify uncertainty and to draw logical inferences from observations and experiment.

Computation. The capacity to think algorithmically, to manage data on large scales, to visualize and interact with models, and to automate tasks for efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility.

Calculus. The traditional mathematical entry point for college and university students and a subject that still has the potential to provide important insights to today’s students.

The name MOSAIC reflects the first letters — M, S, C, C — of these important components of a quantitative education. Project MOSAIC is motivated by a vision of quantitative education as a mosaic where the basic materials come together to form a complete and compelling picture.